Stanford, Cape Overberg
The unique little village of Stanford, overlooked by the moody slopes of the Klein River Mountains, lies just inland of False Bay, forming the tip of a triangle with the coastal towns of Hermanus and De Kelders.
Peaceful and largely unaffected by change, Stanford is an eclectic mix of shops, galleries, restaurants and coffee shops, and the list of activities for a largely rural village exceeds one’s expectations. Like many of the Overberg towns, Stanford originated as a farm, de Kleine Riviers Valey (the original spelling), and the tree-lined streets today, filled with historical buildings, are testimony to the largely English influence that makes Stanford the third most historically important village in the Western Cape.
Two of the ‘must do’s’, when in Stanford are the Birkenhead Brewery, a boutique brewery open for beer tasting and lunches, and the Stanford Walking Trail, which wends its way along the banks of the Klein River through the town and offers visitors some wonderful glimpses of the many birds in the area, including the endangered Blue Crane.
The Salmonsdam Nature reserve is only 15 km away and offers 50 km of hiking trails through some beautiful examples of Cape fynbos. De Kelders and Gansbaai are exciting destinations if you want to watch Southern Right whales and Great White sharks, and the Walker Bay Nature Reserve borders the Walker Bay Whale Sanctuary protected area offering a choice of superb land-based whale watching within natural fynbos of the area.
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Stanford Reviews
"We spent a wonderful weekend in Stanford - the perfect mix of art galleries, antique shops, quaint cafes and pretty village cottages and gardens. We love the ..." - Helen, Cape Town
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Featured Attractions in (or near) Stanford
Baardskeerdersbos Art Route
The little village has attracted a collection of artists - at least 12 of them, in fact. Since 2008 the group have opened their homes and their hearts three times a year to introduce people to the local painters, photographers, sculptors, printmakers and ceramicists. Artist Niël Jonker has added bread ... more information
Grootbos Nature Reserve
Grootbos Nature Reserve is spectacularly situated on the fynbos and forest clad hills that overlook the whale-watching haven of Walker Bay. This multi-award winning 1750 ha reserve is home to more than 740 different species of plants is a nature lover’s paradise. The Cape Fynbos Kingdom is ... more information
Platbos Indigenous Forest
Just off the coast of Gansbaai you will find Africa's southernmost forest. Platbos is an ancient, indigenous forest that lies on the slopes of the Baviaanspoort Hills on the Grootbos Road just outside Stanford, the largest remaining fragment of the orginal Swartkransberg Forests - lowland ... more information
Salmonsdam Nature Reserve
Just 20 kilometres east of the pretty village of Stanford, in the hills of the Perdeberg Mountains, the Salmonsdam Nature Reserve is well known as both a hikers’ and birders’ delight, not least because of the particularly attractive mountain landscape, and the ... more information
The Whale Coast Route
The Whale Route begins in Cape Town and follows the particularly pretty R44, also known as Clarence Drive, through the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. It is a popular drive that easily rivals Chapman's Peak in Cape Town as one of the most scenic in the country - views over False Bay are incredible ... more information
Walker Bay Nature Reserve
Extending along a stretch of coast between the town of De Kelders and the Hermanus Lagoon, the Walker Bay Nature Reserve lies just 3 kilometres from Gansbaai, east of Hermanus on the Danger Point Peninsula. One can get into the reserve at Stanford, via Mierkom, De Kelders (Die Plaat) and Uilkraalsmond but appeals ... more information
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Things To Do in Stanford
Graze - Slow food cafe
Where: Stanford
How much (per person): On Request
In a village already popular with 'foodies', Stanford locals Jero and Catch own this delightful Italian slow food cafe tucked behind an unas ... more information
Stanford Saturday Morning Market
Where: Stanford
How much (per person): Free to Browse
On Saturday mornings, the courtyard alongside Stanford Art Café on Stanford’s main road, Queen Victoria Street, fills up with locals selling ... more information
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Events and/or Festivals in Stanford
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On Holiday in Stanford
• Stanford Photographs
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• Things to Do in Stanford
• Stanford - A Visitor's Perspective
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